sacerdotalism
Americannoun
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the principles, methods, etc, of the priesthood
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the belief that ordained priests are endowed with sacramental and sacrificial powers
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exaggerated respect for priests
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derogatory power over people's opinions and actions achieved by priests through sophistry or guile
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of sacerdotalism
First recorded in 1840–50; sacerdotal + -ism
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In his idea of worship he was near to the High Church, but he differed from that body in ranking sacerdotalism and dissent together as the equal foes of religion.
From Shelburne Essays, Third Series by More, Paul Elmer
If the Professor thus strenuously opposed sacerdotalism on the one hand, he had as little sympathy with Broad Churchism on the other.
From The Scottish Reformation Its Epochs, Episodes, Leaders, and Distinctive Characteristics by Fleming, David Hay
The air is heavy, as it were, with the spirit of sacerdotalism.
From Windyridge by Riley, W.
In connexion with the sacraments grew up also the theory of clerical sacerdotalism.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 3 "Chitral" to "Cincinnati" by Various
But I am digressing; for the fact is that I always see more of sacerdotalism afloat than I do on land.
From Cities of the Dawn by Ritchie, J. Ewing (James Ewing)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
